US recognizes opposition candidate as winner of Venezuela’s election

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE PUSH FOR VENEZUELA’S ELECTORAL AUTHORITY TO SHOW PROOF NICOLÁS MADURO ACTUALLY WON SUNDAY’S ELECTION IS REACHING A CRITICAL POINT — AS THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCED IT’S OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZING OPPOSITION CANDIDATE EDMUNDO GONZÁLEZ AS THE WINNER.

THE U-S JOINS MULTIPLE COUNTRIES CALLING FOR THE OFFICIAL RESULTS TO BE RELEASED… AFTER THE OPPOSITION SAID IT HAD EVIDENCE MADURO DID *NOT* WIN.

AFTER THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL DECLARED MADURO THE WINNER — THOUSANDS OF OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS TOOK TO THE STREETS IN PROTEST… WHICH TURNED DEADLY — AT LEAST 11 PEOPLE REPORTEDLY KILLED.

HUNDREDS OF PROTESTERS HAVE ALSO BEEN ARRESTED SINCE THEN IN WHAT HAS BECOME A VOLATILE WEEK IN THE NATION —

WITH STILL MANY QUESTIONS LEFT UNANSWERED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF VENEZUELA’S RULING PARTY.